DeFrancesco Named Astros’ Interim Manager

Rob Carr/Getty Images(HOUSTON) -- The Houston Astros named Tony DeFrancesco, who had been coaching the Astros' Triple-A team in Oklahoma City, as their interim manager Sunday.

DeFrancesco takes over a team with the worst record in baseball at 39-83.

"I'm going to tell the players that today is the first day," DeFrancesco said at his introductory news conference. "I'm going to tell the players that it's a new beginning from now until the end of the season. We're going to see how good we can be."

This year marks DeFrancesco's 17th season as a minor league manager. He led Oklahoma City to a 67-60 record this season.

The Astros also named Dan Radison, who previously was serving as a special assistant to the G.M./player development for the team, as the new first base coach.

Ty Van Burkleo was named the hitting coach. He had previously served as the organizations minor league hitting coordinator.